Wire-stretcher.



' JK C. VBARCLAY.

WIRE STRETGHBR.

, APPLICATION FILED JULY 16,1909.

Patented Nov: 16, 1909.

JOHN C. BARCLAY, OF MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY.

EVIRE-STRETCHER.

fracasa.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov, 16, 1909.

Application filed July 1, 1909. Serial No. 508,083.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, JOI-IN C. BARCLAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Montclair, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful improvements in llfTire-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to wire tighteners, and particularly to that class thereof employed primarily or customarily, in connection with the guy-wires of telegraph poles and the like, for taking up slack.

My invention comprises a novel construetion of such devices whereby the tension of the wire itself normally holds the spindle locked against backward rotation; forward rotation, c'. c., rotation in a direction to wind up more of the wire, being nevertheless permitted at all times.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, compact and relatively inexpensive device of the character described, and to cause the spindle to be held locked automatically.

1 will now proceed to describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one form of my improved wire tightening or stretching device is illustrated, and will then point out the novel features in claims.

ln said ldrawingsz--Figure 1 shows a side view of `one embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section of the frame thereof, showing the spindle in position; Fig. 3 shows a fragmentary face view of the frame, with the spindle removed; and Eig. et shows a corresponding rear view of the frame.

My improved wire stretcher comprises a frame, comprising side members 1 and 2, secured together at the lower end by a bolt 3 and also interlocked by means of a tongue l of one member fitting within or between tongues 5 of the other member, and secured together at the upper end by means of bolts 6; the two members, 1 and 2, having, between their upper faces so secured together, a channel 7 through which the wire to be acted upon may pass. The device also comprises a spindle, 8, passing through suitable bearings in members 1 and 2, having a squared head, 9, adapted to be engaged by a wrench, and having also a toothed disk, 10, the teeth of which are adapted to be engaged by the teeth of a corresponding boss 11 formed on frame member 2, so as to prevent backward rotation of the spindle.

1n order that the pull of the wire being stretched shall in itself prevent backward rotation of the spindle, by holding its teeth in engagement with the teeth of the frame, I have provided frame member 1 with a beveled or cam surface, 12, on that side of the aperture through which the spindle passes, toward which the pull of the wire tends to draw that spindle, and have provided the spindle with a corresponding collar 13; the said aperture, 141, being of such length as to permit considerable tilting motion of the spindle, accompanied by axial motion thereof.

As shown particularly in Eig. Q, the spindle may be moved down and to the right, so as to disengage its ratchet teeth from the teeth of frame member 2, and permit it to be rotated; while pull of the wire being stretched, on the spindle, causes the collar 13 to press against the beveled surface, 12, and so to draw the spindle to the left of Figs. 1 and 2, so causing engagement of the ratchet teeth of the spindle and frame member 2. lt will be clear, therefore, that strain on the wire wrapped about the spindle tends to hold said spindle locked against backward rotation, while nevertheless the spindle may be rotated freely in a direction to wind up that wire still more.

ln practice, and when using the device for taking up slack in telegraph guy-wires and the like, the anchor-cable or other anchorconnection is usually passed through the lower end of the frame, the guy-wire itself being drawn through the groove or channel 7 and its end passed through the hole 15 of the spindle, to fasten it. The spindle is then rotated, winding up the guy wire upon it, until suflicient tension has been reached. Spindle 8 is also provided with a collar 15 close to the side of member 1, which collar prevents the wire, wound on said spindle, from being caught between the spindle and the opening in said member 1. This opening and the opening in member 2, are suticiently large to permit the passage of collar 15 as well as shoulder 13. 1n order that the spindle may have a bearing in member 2, it is provided with a shoulder 1G of nearly the diameter of the opening in member 2. Collars 13 and 15 are in practice formed separately from the spindle and are pressed l spindle provided with a collar adapted to thereon tightly, so as to be in effect integral l Work against that surface.

with the spindle.

It will be observed that this device comprises no small loose parts which are likely to be lost; and that all its parts are of simple form, and are strong and massive; also that the device is very easily operated.

that l claim is l. A stretching' or tightening device, such as described, comprising a bearing member and a rotatable member mounted in a bearing therein and adapted to Wind up upon itself the Wire or the like to be tightened, said two members having interlocking means,

the bearing member having, on that side of y the bearing aperture toward Which the pull l on the Wire or the like tends to draw the rotatable member, an oblique surface inclined laterally, and the rotatable member having a portion adapted to bear against such surface, vvhereby the pull on said rotatable member tends to hold it in locked position.

2. A stretching` or tightening device, such as described, comprising a. bearing member and a rotatable member mounted in a bearing therein and adapted to Wind up upon itself the Wire or the like to be tightened, said rotatable member provided With means, released by axial motion of such member in one direction, for preventing rotary motion of such member in one direction, said bearing member having an enlarged opening for the passage of said rotatable member, and having, on that side of said bearing opening toward which the pull on the Wire or the like tends to draw the rotatable member, an oblique surface inclined laterally, the rotatable member having means adapted to press against said surface, whereby the pull on said rotatable member tends to hold it in locked position.

3. A. stretching or tightening device, such as described, comprising a frame and a spindle mounted in bearings on said frame and adapted to Wind up upon itself the Wire or the like to be tightened, said spindle provided With ratchet teeth adapted to be engaged with corresponding teeth of the frame by axial motion of the spindle, saidframe having an enlarged aperture through which the spindle passes and having on that side of said bearing aperture toward which the pull on the Wire or the like tends to draw the rotatable member a beveled surface, the

el. A, stretching or tightening device, such as described, comprising a frame member ha ing an open space Within which the Wire or the like may be Wound, and means for guiding such Wire or the like thereto, and a rotatable member mounted in bearings in said frame and adapted to Wind up upon itself the Wire or the like, said frame having an oblique surface inclined laterally, and the rotatable member having a portion adapted to bear against such surface, said frame and rotatable member having interlocking means, whereby the pull on said rotatable member tends to hold it in locked position.

A stretching or tightening device, such as described, comprising' a frame member having an open space Within which the Wire or the like may be Wound, and means for guiding such 1Wire or the like thereto, and a rotatable member mounted in bearings in said frame and adapted to Wind up upon i tself the Wire or the like, said frame having an oblique surface inclined laterally, and the rotatable member having a. portion adapted to bear against such surface, said frame and rotatable member having coacting ratchet teeth, whereby the pull on said rotatable member tends to hold it in locked position.

6. A stretching or tightening' device such as described, comprising a frame member having an open space Within which the Wire or the like may be wound, and means for guiding such wire or the like thereto, and ay rotatable member mounted in bearings in said frame on opposite sides of said open space, and adapted to Wind up upon itself the Wire or the like, said rotatable member provided with means, released by axial motion of such membe1 in one direction, for preventing rotary motion of such member in one direction, the two members so relatively related that strain on the rotatable member in. the direction of normal pull thereonA tends to move it axially into locked position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN C. BARCLAY. Vitnesses:

T. E. BARTON, H. M. MARBLE. 

